LAYTON — After 20 years on the City Council and in his third term as mayor, Jerry Stevenson says he won't seek re-election in November.

The mayor — who hasn't denied interest in running for state office — told staffers in a tearful meeting last week that the time had come to end his service in city government.

His announcement may be the catalyst for a tight mayoral race between councilmen Steve Curtis and Stephen G. Handy, who both have two years left on their terms.

Stevenson was unavailable for comment, but City Manager Alex Jensen said the long-term mayor was "well-respected and will be greatly missed."

"I think anyone who looks back at the last 20 to 25 years in Layton and feels good about what the Layton community has become, a large part of the credit goes to Jerry," said Jensen. "He's really left his imprint on how the community has developed."

City staffers credit his leadership as key to maintaining the city's economic status. Last week the City Council approved a $44 million budget with no tax increases. That's a 3 percent increase from last year's budget, said Handy.

Stevenson also worked on bringing the Davis County Conference Center to Layton and a Weber State University extension campus. He's been involved with the state Legislature and a member of the Wasatch Front Regional Council studying transportation issues, said Davis County Commissioner Dannie McConkie.

During his tenure as mayor and as a city councilman, Stevenson also led Hill Air Force Base to relative victory during five base closure rounds.

Stevenson served as a key player in planning for any base closure outcome for the Utah Defense Alliance, said Rick Mayfield, the group's executive director. Had Hill been slated for closure, Stevenson and his economic development subcommittee were ready with redevelopment plans.

"I think Jerry has done an outstanding job," Mayfield said. "It's going to be a loss for the Utah Defense Alliance, there is no doubt about it."

McConkie said he hopes Stevenson won't end his career in politics quite yet. In the past, he has expressed interest in running for a state office, said McConkie. Last June, former Congressman Jim Hansen tapped Stevenson to be his running mate in a race for governor.

The pair didn't survive the state Republican convention.

The filing deadline to file for municipal office is Aug. 15. Interested candidates can begin filing with individual cities beginning July 15.

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Contributing: Leigh Dethman

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com